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Help with sewing all the blocks together

14 years ago

After reading Jayne's post of the charm quilt which is what I am making I had to post.

I am having a very difficult time getting all of the blocks sewn together. I am making a quilt for a king size bed (mine), the blocks are 14.5" in size, 72 blocks total, 8 across and 9 down. I have sewn strips of 4 blocks into 12 block sections (3 x 4) and am fighting it the entire way. The weight of the fabric etc., is making this extremely difficult.

I have a large table in my office, actually it is my desk over 4' long that I use for sewing, the fabric is supported, but I am still wrestling with this quilt. How do you all do it? I will eventually take this to the dining room table which is 6 feet long.

My points and corners line up fine, but the holding the 1/4" seam is difficult. And, how do you get a border on a behemoth?

Sidnee

The Self Taught

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Comments (6)

solstice98
14 years ago
Borders are pretty easy because you can support the rest of the quilt on the table. The only time it's really hard is when you have to stuff 1/2 of the quilt through the small arm opening. Same with the blocks: piecing it all shouldn't be too tough because you can fold it and only work on the edge. Use the table - and maybe the backs of some chairs - to support the bulk of the quilt. If you have a walking foot, that might help too because it will hold the quilt in place tighter. Be sure to set the needle so it ends in the down position each time you stop!

kate
jennifer_in_va
14 years ago
Just bulk up the quilt on the tables surrounding the machine...it doesn't need to be laid out all nice and neat at this point. Pile it up and around close the machine and the majority of the weight should be relieved. Also use your lap...don't let sections hang down to the floor, pile the part you're reaching in your lap to pick that weight up as well.

Kings are challenging, but shouldn't be too bad during the piecing stage.
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geezerfolks_SharonG_FL
14 years ago
Sidnee, When I have a large quilt, I usually set up the ironing board next to me and let it support most of the quilt so I don't have to. Also, keeping my eye on the edge of the fabric (not the needle) helps to make sure it's where I want it to be to get the correct seam allowance.

Sharon
sidnee
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks ladies, I also read the post about machine quilting that gave me some great advice.

I think I will do something smaller next time. LOL

Sidnee
damascusannie
14 years ago
Pins, pins and more pins. Work in small segments, and frequently stop to rearrange the quilt. It's not just difficult for you--this is a tricky part of piecing for everyone! I have a girlfriend who hates it so much, that she's probably got the blocks made for two dozen or more quilts, but almost never sews any of them into an actual quilt top.
sidnee
Original Author
14 years ago
I can see why your girlfriend does not put them together Annie, it is a royal pain. At least I am not the only one who has trouble with it. I was thinking with all of the quilting talent out there that it must be a breeze for you all to sew the blocks together.

I don't feel "sew" bad now. ;o)

I am a pin and pressaholic, press with starch, pin like mad.

Sid

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